Powered roller screed with curb attachment

ABSTRACT

A powered roller screed with a curb attachment is disclosed. The powered roller screed may include a screed roller that is offset (e.g., vertically) from one or more curb rollers used by the curb attachment. In one embodiment, the amount of offset between the screed roller and each such curb roller is adjustable. Generally, each curb roller used by the curb attachment may engage and roller along an upper wall of a curb as screeding operations are conducted on poured concrete alongside the curb.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/299,795, that is entitled “POWERED ROLLER SCREED WITH CURB ATTACHMENT,” that was filed on Jan. 29, 2010, and entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the leveling of materials such as wet or recently poured concrete and, more particularly, to attachments for a powered roller screed.

BACKGROUND

Concrete may be poured between a pair of forms, between a pair of existing, hardened concrete slabs, between a form and an existing, hardened concrete slab, or the like. Once the concrete is poured, it may be leveled and compacted by a process known as “screeding.” Various types of screeding devices have been used over time.

A basic screeding device may be a simple 2×4 or some other elongate member. One or more workers would place the 2×4 on the fauns and pull/slide the 2×4 along the fauns to screed the poured concrete. While this manual technique may work to at least some degree for at least smaller jobs (e.g., short sections of sidewalk), there are a number of deficiencies. One of course is that this technique is very labor intensive and physically demanding. This type of screeding is also not very effective at distributing and compacting the concrete within the forms, thereby potentially producing a finished concrete slab of a lesser quality than may be desired.

Truss screeds also exist, and tend to be used for larger jobs. The concrete is leveled off with an elongated truss. One or more internal combustion engines or the like may be mounted on the truss to vibrate the truss to enhance the screeding. Typically one or more winches are incorporated into the truss to advance the same along the fauns. Both manual and motorized winches exist for truss screeds.

Another type of powered screed is a powered roller screed. The powered roller screed generally consists of a screed roller (e.g., an elongated tube) that is rotationally driven by an attached motor. In operation, the screed roller is positioned over the poured concrete with each end of the screed roller positioned on the upper edges of the laterally-spaced forms. The screed roller is then moved along the top of the forms in a direction that is opposite to the rotational motion of the screed roller at its point of contact with the concrete. Usually one worker pulls on one end of the powered roller screed, and another worker pulls on the opposite end of the powered roller screed. Powered roller screeds produce a smooth and flat finish to the concrete.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a powered roller screed. This powered roller screed includes a screed roller and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a power source, is interconnected with the screed roller, and is operable to rotatably drive the screed roller. First and second handles are interconnected with the screed roller at first and second locations that are spaced along the length of the screed roller. A curb attachment is interconnected with the screed roller and includes first and second curb rollers. The screed roller may be characterized as being offset from each of the first and second curb rollers.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the first aspect of the present invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of the first aspect. The following discussion is applicable to the first aspect, up to the start of the discussion of a second aspect of the present invention.

Each handle for the powered roller screed may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type (e.g., a rigid member, a flexible member, a rope, a strap, a tether, a chain). Any appropriate way of interconnecting each handle with the screed roller may be utilized that allows the screed roller to rotate relative to each such handle (e.g., each handle may be rotationally isolated from the screed roller). First and second handles may be spaced along the length of the screed roller. One handle may be associated with the drive assembly (e.g., extending from a frame that supports a motor of the drive assembly). In one embodiment, one handle is associated with one end portion of the screed roller, and another handle is associated with an opposite end portion of the screed roller.

The screed roller may be characterized as having a driven end and a non-driven end. The first handle may be disposed at or in close proximity to the driven end of the screed roller, and furthermore may be integrated with the drive assembly. The second handle may be disposed at or in close proximity to the non-driven end of the screed roller. In one embodiment, the curb attachment is mounted to the non-driven end of the screed roller.

Any appropriate power source may be utilized by the drive assembly. For instance, the drive assembly may utilize one or more motors of any appropriate type. Representative motors that may be used to rotate the screed roller include without limitation an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, and the like. In one embodiment, the screed roller is rotated at a relatively high velocity (e.g., at least 100 RPM, and commonly around 300 RPM) and in a direction that attempts to advance the screed roller in the opposite direction that the same is being pulled during a screeding operation.

The screed roller may be of any appropriate size (e.g., length), shape (e.g., cylindrical), and/or configuration. The screed roller may utilize a single cylindrical structure or tube. In one embodiment, however, the screed roller is defined by detachably interconnecting two or more separate screed roller sections in end-to-end relation (e.g., via a threaded connection between each adjacent pair of screed roller sections). Any appropriate number of detachably interconnected screed roller sections may be utilized to define a screed roller of a desired/required length. “Detachably interconnected” means that individual screed roller sections may be repeatedly joined and separated, or vice versa, as desired/required (e.g., joined for a screeding operation at a job site; separated or disassembled for transport and/or storage).

The offset between the screed roller and each of the first and second curb rollers is subject a number of characterizations. This offset may be described as a “vertical offset.” Consider the case where the screed roller is pulled at least generally in a first dimension during a screeding operation. The offset between the screed roller and each of the first and second curb rollers may be in a second dimension that is orthogonal to the noted first dimension.

The screed roller may be disposed at one elevation during a screeding operation, while each of the first and second curb rollers may be disposed at a different (e.g., higher) elevation during a screeding operation. For instance, a rotational axis of the screed roller may be disposed at one elevation during a screeding operation, while the rotational axes of the first and second curb rollers may be disposed at a higher elevation during a screeding operation. As such, the screed roller may be characterized as being vertically offset from each of the first and second curb rollers. In one embodiment, the first and second curb rollers are disposed at a common elevation (e.g., their respective rotational axes may be disposed at a common elevation; their respective rotational axes may be disposed within a horizontal reference plane if the surface that underlies the concrete being screeded is itself horizontal).

The first and second curb rollers may be characterized as being spaced in a dimension in which the screed roller is being advanced for a screeding operation. Consider the case where the screed roller is being advanced in a horizontal dimension for a screeding operation. In the noted instance, the first and second curb rollers may be spaced from one another in this same horizontal dimension.

The first and second curb rollers may be positioned to roll along an upper wall or surface of a curb during a screeding operation (e.g., where the screed roller is disposed below or at a lower elevation than this upper wall of the curb). Each of the first and second curb rollers may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type, and furthermore may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials. In one embodiment, each of the first and second curb rollers includes a rotational axis, along with first and second curb roller sections that are spaced along their respective rotational axis. This configuration accommodates using the curb attachment on concrete surfaces having upwardly-extending protrusions (e.g., anchor bolts). That is, any such anchor bolts may be allowed to pass through the space between the first and second curb roller sections of each curb roller as the curb rollers are advanced along the relevant surface during a screeding operation.

The offset (e.g., vertical position) between the screed roller and each of the first and second curb rollers may be adjustable. In one embodiment, a vertical position of the first and second curb rollers relative to the screed roller may be simultaneously adjusted. One way to provide for this adjustability is for the curb attachment to include what may be characterized as bracket assembly.

The curb attachment may include first and second brackets, where the first curb roller is rotatably interconnected with or mounted to the first bracket in any appropriate manner, and where the second curb roller is rotatably interconnected with or mounted to the second bracket in any appropriate manner. One way to provide positional adjustability for the first and second curb rollers is to have the first and second brackets be movably interconnected (e.g., pivotally). A position of the first bracket (associated with the first curb roller) may be adjustable relative to a position of the second bracket (associated with the second curb roller). Changing the position of the first and second brackets may change the spacing between the first and second curb rollers in a first dimension (e.g., horizontal), and furthermore may change the spacing between the screed roller and each of the first and second curb rollers in a second dimension (e.g., vertical) that is orthogonal to the first dimension.

The curb attachment may utilize a plurality of predetermined adjustment positions for the first and second brackets. In one embodiment the first and second brackets are pivotally interconnected. The first bracket may include a plurality of first adjustment holes, and the second bracket may include one or more second adjustment holes. Pivoting the first bracket relative to the second bracket (and thereby the first curb roller relative to the second curb roller) may align different sets or pairs of first and second adjustment holes. A given first adjustment hole may be aligned with a given second adjustment hole by pivoting the first bracket relative to the second bracket. Such may be the case in relation to each of the plurality of the first adjustment holes. When a desired first adjustment hole is aligned with a desired second adjustment hole (e.g., to provide a desired vertical offset between the screed roller and each of the first and second curb rollers), a bolt, pin, or the like may be directed through the aligned first and second adjustment holes. Any appropriate way of retaining such a bolt, pin, or the like may be utilized (e.g., a nut, a cotter key).

The first bracket may include what is characterized as a curb spacer. Such a curb spacer may be in the form of a protrusion that extends from the first bracket and engages a sidewall of the curb during a screeding operation. This may be utilized to retain an end plug of the curb attachment (e.g., on which one of the first and second brackets may be mounted; which may rotate with the screed roller and relative to each of the first and second brackets) in spaced relation to the sidewall of the curb during a screeding operation. For instance, such a curb spacer may extend further from the first bracket in the direction of the sidewall of the curb compared to the end plug.

A second aspect of the present invention may be characterized as a concrete pour site. A curb runs along a location where concrete is to be poured and screeded. In this regard, the concrete pour site includes a powered roller screed having a screed roller and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes an appropriate power source, is interconnected with the screed roller, and is operable to rotatably drive the screed roller. First and second handles are interconnected with the screed roller at first and second locations that are spaced along the length of the screed roller. A curb attachment is interconnected with the screed roller and at least one curb roller (hereafter a “first curb roller”). This first curb roller rolls along an upper wall or surface of the curb as the screed roller executes its screeding operation on the poured concrete (e.g., at least generally alongside a lower portion of the curb).

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the second aspect of the present invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of the second aspect. The features of the screed roller, drive assembly, and first and second handles discussed above relation to the first aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to this second aspect of the present invention. The curb attachment of the first aspect may be used in this second aspect as well.

A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a powered roller screed. This powered roller screed includes a screed roller and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes an appropriate power source, is interconnected with the screed roller, and is operable to rotatably drive the screed roller. First and second handles are interconnected with the screed roller at first and second locations that are spaced along the length of the screed roller. A curb attachment includes a bracket assembly that is interconnected (directly or indirectly) with the screed roller. First and second frame members extend at least generally vertically upward from first and second locations of the bracket assembly, where these first and second locations are spaced from each other. A first curb roller is rotatably interconnected with the first frame section in spaced relation to the bracket assembly, while a second curb roller is rotatably interconnected with the second frame section in spaced relation to the bracket assembly.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the third aspect of the present invention. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of the third aspect. Initially, the features of the screed roller, drive assembly, and first and second handles discussed above relation to the first aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to this third aspect of the present invention.

The first and second frame sections each may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration, and/or type. For instance, each of the first and second frame sections may be in the form of a strap of an appropriate length. One or more cross members may extend between and may be fixed to each of the first and second frame sections in any appropriate manner.

The bracket assembly may be in the form of the first and second brackets discussed above in relation to the first aspect. However, the first frame section would interconnect with the first bracket where the first curb roller was rotatably interconnected with the first bracket in the case of the first aspect, while the second frame section would interconnect with the second bracket where the second curb roller was rotatably interconnected with the second bracket in the case of the first aspect. This configuration may be used when screeding next to something taller than a street-side curb, for instance a wall. The length of the first and second straps may be selected in relation to the height of this wall—so that the first and second curb rollers now roll along an upper end of this wall.

The term “curb” in relation to the present invention encompasses a raised surface that is adjacent to an area where concrete has been poured and that is to be screeded using a powered roller screed. Such a curb may be of any appropriate height or provide any appropriate vertical offset in relation to the area being screeded. A curb adjacent to a roadway, driveway, or the like may be offset therefrom by a relatively short or small distance, for instance on the order of about 6″. Other “curbs” may in fact be in the form of a much more elevated structure in relation to the area being screeded, for instance in the form of a wall. A footing for a building structure may also be characterized as a curb for purposes of the present invention.

Any feature of any other various aspects of the present invention that is intended to be limited to a “singular” context or the like will be clearly set forth herein by terms such as “only,” “single,” “limited to,” or the like. Merely introducing a feature in accordance with commonly accepted antecedent basis practice does not limit the corresponding feature to the singular (e.g., indicating that a screed roller includes “a screed roller section” alone does not mean that the screed roller includes only a single screed roller section). Moreover, any failure to use phrases such as “at least one” also does not limit the corresponding feature to the singular (e.g., indicating that a screed roller includes “a screed roller section” alone does not mean that the screed roller includes only a single screed roller section). Use of the phrase “at least generally” or the like in relation to a particular feature encompasses the corresponding characteristic and insubstantial variations thereof (e.g., indicating that a curb roller is at least generally cylindrical encompasses the curb roller actually being cylindrical). Finally, a reference of a feature in conjunction with the phrase “in one embodiment” does not limit the use of the feature to a single embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a powered roller screed that illustrates the manner in which it may be deployed to finish a slab of concrete.

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of a drive assembly for the powered roller screed of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the drive assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation exploded view of drive motor and drive plate assembly components of the drive assembly of FIG. 2, illustrating the manner by which they may engage the screed roller.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a screed roller for the powered roller screed of FIG. 1, illustrating its general manner of construction and a way two or more individual screed roller sections can be joined together to form a longer screed roller.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a plurality of screed rollers, illustrating the varying lengths in which they can be constructed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a connection between two adjoining individual screed roller sections.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a footing member component that may be used by the powered roller screed of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the footing member component from FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a powered roller screed that illustrates the manner in which it may be deployed to screed concrete that has been poured between a pair of concrete slabs.

FIG. 11 is a perspective front view of a drive assembly end of the powered roller screed of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the drive assembly end of the powered roller screed of FIG. 10, which includes a riser assembly, and illustrating a gap created by the riser assembly between a lower portion of the screed roller and a concrete slab on which the riser assembly is disposed.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the drive assembly end of the powered roller screed of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a non-powered or non-driven end of the powered roller screed of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of the non-powered end of the powered roller screed of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is another exploded, perspective view of the non-powered end of the powered roller screed of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the assembled non-powered end of the powered roller screed of FIG. 10.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a powered roller screed that illustrates the manner in which it may be deployed to screed concrete adjacent to one type of curb.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view (from a screed roller side) of a curb attachment used by the powered roller screed of FIG. 18.

FIG. 19B is a plan view of an end plug used by the powered roller screed of FIG. 18, namely to illustrate how a bracket assembly is integrated with this end plug.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view (from an opposite side compared to FIG. 19A) of the curb attachment used by the powered roller screed of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the curb attachment used by the powered roller screed of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a variation of the powered roller screed of FIG. 18 to allow the same to be used adjacent to a curb in the form of a wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, and more specifically initially to FIGS. 1-3, a powered rotational screed apparatus or powered roller screed 10 has a screed roller 12 that is adaptable to accommodate any number of specialized concrete slab pouring applications. The powered rotational screed apparatus 10 is designed generally to facilitate the finishing process in relation to the formation of concrete slabs. In the accomplishment of this process, the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 may be deployed on a slab pour site in a manner so that its screed roller 12 comes into contact with both the upper surfaces of the concrete forms 14 and the unfinished concrete 16 contained therein. This is accomplished by placing the screed roller 12 between the concrete forms 14 and over the area where the slab is to be formed.

One end or end portion of the screed roller 12 is rotationally attached to a drive assembly 20 and the other end or end portion to a pull device 22 (e.g., a handle) of any appropriate type (e.g., a strap, rope, or the like). The drive assembly 20 is the component of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 that houses a drive motor 24, which in turn provides the rotational power to operate the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 (more specifically to rotate the screed roller 12). The drive motor 24 is fixed within the drive assembly 20 by the use of a motor frame 36, that also provides the point of fixed attachment for a handle assembly 26. The handle assembly 26 extends upward through an extension bar 28 from the motor frame 36 to position a control grip or handle 30 and a pull grip or handle 32 in a position so that the entire handle assembly 26 can be easily controlled by an operator. Finally, the power to the drive motor 24 is supplied through a power cord 42 by way of the control handle 30. The drive motor 24 may also be powered by an appropriate “on board” battery, an internal combustion engine (not shown), or any other appropriate power source.

The other end, or the non-powered or non-driven end, of the screed roller 12 (e.g., the end of the screed roller 12 that is opposite of the end where rotational power is input to the screed roller 12) provides the point of attachment for the pull device 22 through the operation of a pull bearing assembly 84. The pull bearing assembly 84 operates to isolate the pull device 22 from the rotational aspects of the screed roller 12, allowing it to be interconnected to the pull device 22 while allowing the screed roller 12 to rotate relative to the pull device 22. The nature and manner of operation of the pull bearing assembly 84 will be described in greater detail below with reference to other possible components of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10.

Additionally, the handle assembly 26 of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 may be equipped with a pivotally mounted stand 34. The stand 34 allows the drive assembly 20 to be left in an upright position when not in use so that the control and pull handles, 30 and 32, respectively, are in an easily accessible location. When not in use, the pivotal attachment of the stand 34 allows it to be pivoted or rotated up next to the extension bar 28 so that it is not in the way during the operation of the handle assembly 26.

To perform the finishing or screeding operation, the drive motor 24 is engaged by the use of the control handle 30, which in turn powers the screed roller 12. As the screed roller 12 spins, the operator of the drive assembly 20 and the operator of the pull device 22 move the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 in a direction that is opposite to the rotation of the screed roller 12 over the unfinished concrete 16. This action has been found to be effective in producing the desired finish on the upper surface of the finished or screeded concrete 18, while also causing the concrete to compact to a desired consistency.

The output of the drive motor 24 is configured so that it can be fitted to a drive socket 38, which may be of a common 6-point impact type as illustrated in FIG. 4. As the drive socket 38 passes through the motor frame 36, the drive socket 38 is encased by a socket bearing 40. The socket bearing 40 allows the drive socket 38 to spin with the drive motor 24, while securely holding it within the stationary motor frame 36.

The use of the drive socket 38 allows for the securement of a drive plate assembly 52, which in turn bolts to the proximal end of the screed roller 12. To facilitate this, the drive plate assembly 52 is equipped with a rearwardly extending hexagonal shaft 53 that is specifically designed to engage the internal surface of the drive socket 38. Additionally, each of these components has an attachment pin hole 58. The attachment pin holes 58 allow for the passage of an attachment pin or the like (not shown) through the drive socket 38 and hexagonal shaft 53 to secure the two together (such that they collectively rotate).

The drive plate assembly 52 also has a circular drive plate 44 that may be of the same outside diameter as the screed roller 12. The drive plate 44 allows for the attachment of the drive plate assembly 52 to the screed roller 12 through the use of a plurality of bolts 54 or other suitable fasteners. Additionally, the distal surface of the drive plate 44 is equipped with a centrally located male shoulder 70 that operates to center a female attachment plug 46 of the screed roller 12 with reference to the drive plate assembly 52. This configuration not only transfers the rotational power of the drive motor 24 to the screed roller 12, but also ensures that all of the operational components are properly aligned.

The screed roller 12 is the elongated cylindrical component of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 that performs the finishing or screeding operation, and may be defined by connecting one or more screed roller sections 12 a in end-to-end relation. The external manner of construction of the screed roller 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each screed roller section 12 a is made up of three primary components. The first of these is a tube body 50, which is a tube of the desired inside and outside diameter and may be generally composed of a high strength aluminum alloy, although the use of other materials for this purpose is possible. Aluminum may be used in this application due to its desirable strength-to-weight ratio. The other components of an individual screed roller section 102 a are a female and male attachment plug, 46 and 48, respectively, disposed on the opposite ends of the tube body 50.

The female and male attachment plugs, 46 and 48, are relatively short cylindrical components having a shoulder of a common outside diameter of the tube body 50 and an engagement body that has an outside diameter that is equal to the inside diameter of the tube body 50. Each screed roller section 12 a is formed by fixedly attaching one female attachment plug 46 and one male attachment plug 48 to the opposite ends of the tube body 50. This forms a complete unit that is then capable of being used individually or in conjunction with another screed roller section 12 a as will be described in greater detail below.

The above-described method of constructing a screed roller section 12 a provides a means by which the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 can be adapted to match the width of a wide variety of possible concrete pours. This is facilitated by the building of screed rollers 12 of varying lengths by joining together two or more individual screed roller sections 12 a (again, another option is to use a single screed roller section 12 a for the screed roller 12). This design allows for the construction of screed rollers 12 of varying lengths as illustrated by screed rollers, 60, 62, 64, and 66. Additionally, it must be stated that the lengths of the screed rollers as shown is intended to be for illustrative purposes only, and the construction of a screed roller of any usable length is possible.

The female and male attachment plugs, 46 and 48, also contain a threaded hole 74 that passes longitudinally through their respective centers as illustrated in FIG. 7. The threaded hole allows 74 for the placement of a threaded rod 72 in a position so that it extends out beyond the outside end of the male attachment plug 48 to which it is fixedly attached. This attachment is accomplished by passing an attachment pin 56 through the body of the male attachment plug 48 in a manner so that it engages the threaded rod 72. In this configuration, the attachment pin 56 is retained within the male attachment plug 48, even when the screed roller 12 is disassembled.

The female attachment plug 46 is designed with a centrally located, with respect to its longitudinal axis, female recess 68 that extends into its body at the initial segment of its threaded hole 74. Conversely, the male attachment plug 48 is designed with a similarly positioned male shoulder 70 that fits within the female recess 68 of the female attachment plug 46 of an adjacent screed roller section 12 a. Thus, the threaded rod 72, the female recess 68, and the male shoulder 70 components of the female and male attachment plugs, 46 and 48, provide a means by which two or more screed roller sections 12 a can easily and securely be connected to one another to define a screed roller 12. Finally, once the proper connection has been accomplished through the described methods, the female attachment plug 46 can be locked in place with reference to the threaded rod 72. This may be accomplished by the use of a securement bolt 76 that passes through the body of the female attachment plug 46 to engage the surface of the threaded rod 72. The head of the securement bolt 76 may be accessible on an exterior of the screed roller 12.

The connection of two or more screed roller sections 12 a is then simply accomplished by connecting the desired screed roller sections 12 a by the use of the threaded rod 72 and threaded hole 74 and their associated components. Also, this design provides a means of attaching additional components that will be discussed in greater detail below.

An attachment for the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, and is in the faun of a wall plug or footing member 164. The footing member 164 provides the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 with the capability of finishing a concrete slab that is used to form the floor of a basement where the footings 160 and walls 162 are already built. The footing member 164 is made up of a footing member body 165 that is attached to the non-powered end of the screed roller 12 using an outer bearing body 90, a bearing 88, and an inner bearing spacer 158.

The footing member 164 is equipped with a ring spacer 166. The ring spacer 166 is a circular plate that is inserted between the footing member body 165 and the footing member spacer 163 in a location so that it effectively raises the screed roller 12 up off of the footing 160. Additionally, the footing member spacer 163, the ring spacer 166, and the footing member body 165 are held together by the use of a plurality of large bolts 124. This design allows for the simplified pouring of such a concrete slab up to the wall and over the footing to properly construct a basement floor.

Another embodiment of a powered rotational screed apparatus or powered roller screed is illustrated in FIG. 10 and is identified by reference numeral 10′. Corresponding components between the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 are identified by the same reference numeral. Those corresponding components between these two embodiments that differ in at least some respect and that are addressed herein are identified by a “single prime” designation in FIG. 10. Notwithstanding the existence of at least some differences between the embodiments, both powered roller screeds 10, 10′ screed in the same general manner—the screed roller 12 spins or rotates at a relatively high velocity (e.g., about 300 RPM), and is pulled by personnel in the opposite direction that the screed roller 12 is rotating. That is and for screeding operations, the screed roller 12 is pulled by personnel in the direction indicated by the arrow A as the screed roller 12 is rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow B. The direction that the screed roller 12 is rotating (arrow B) attempts to move the screed roller 12 in a direction that is opposite to the direction that the screed roller 12 is being pulled by personnel during screeding (arrow A).

Unless otherwise noted, all of the various features addressed above in relation to the powered roller screed 10 of FIG. 1 may be utilized by the powered roller screed 10′ of FIG. 10. The powered roller screed 10′ of FIG. 10 is illustrated as utilizing a drive motor 24′ (of the drive assembly 20′) that is in the form of an internal combustion engine, although any appropriate rotational power source may be utilized by the powered roller screed 10′ and including the electric motor illustrated in relation to the powered roller screed 10 of FIG. 1. The control handle 30 of the handle assembly 26 (used by an operator to pull on one end portion of the powered roller screed 10′) may also function as a hand-operated throttle for the drive motor 24′ to control the rotational speed of the screed roller 12, while the other handle 32 of the handle assembly 26 may simply provide an appropriate gripping location for the operator's other hand. That is, and in also accordance with the powered roller screed 10 of FIG. 1, one operator may exert a pulling force on the screed roller 12 via the handle assembly 26 of the powered roller screed 10′ of FIG. 10, while another operator may exert a pulling force on the screed roller 12 via a pull device 22 (e.g., a rope, strap, chain, tether, tube-like structure or any other appropriate handle type/configuration).

The powered roller screed 10′ of FIG. 10 is illustrated in a different type of concrete pour compared to the powered roller screed 10 of FIG. 1, and as such the powered roller screed 10′ of FIG. 10 utilizes a different configuration (e.g., via incorporating two additional attachments). Instead of using a pair of forms 14 to screed as in FIG. 1, the powered roller screed 10′ in FIG. 10 is being used to screed wet concrete 16 that has been poured between a pair of existing concrete slabs 14′ that have at least partially cured. That is, the concrete slabs 14′ have been allowed to cure at least to the degree where the concrete slabs 14′ will support personnel without adversely impacting the concrete slabs 14′ in any significant manner. In this regard, the powered roller screed 10′ includes a riser assembly 400 on a drive assembly end 21 of the screed roller 12, along with a riser assembly 500 on a non-powered end 301 of the screed roller 12 member. Certain applications may require the use of only one of the riser assemblies 400, 500.

Generally, the riser assemblies 400, 500 support the screed roller 12 on the pair of concrete slabs 14′, and furthermore maintain the spinning screed roller 12 in spaced relation to each of these concrete slabs 14′. That is, the screed roller 12 is allowed to spin or rotate relative to each of the riser assemblies 400, 500. As such, the spinning screed roller 12 should not contact and mar the upper surface of either concrete slab 14′. Correspondingly, the lack of contact between the concrete slabs 14′ and the screed roller 12 should reduce wear and tear on the screed roller 12 as well for the illustrated screeding operation. Although the powered roller screed 10′ of FIG. 10 is illustrated as using the same type of screed roller 12 used by the powered roller screed 10 of FIG. 1, the screed roller 12 used by the powered roller screed 10′ could be defined by a single screed roller section 12 a of a fixed length (instead of a plurality of individual screed roller sections 12 a joined in end-to-end relation, as described above).

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a drive assembly side 21 of the powered roller screed 10′ again includes a riser assembly 400 that can elevate the screed roller 12 a distance above a concrete slab 14′ during a screeding operation, and is freely rotatable relative to the screed roller 12. In this regard and as illustrated in FIG. 12, a gap 402 can be created between a portion of the screed roller 12 and the concrete slab 14′. Moreover, as the drive assembly 20′ rotatably powers the screed roller 12, the riser assembly 400 is free to rotate and contact the concrete slab 14′ as the operator(s) pull(s) on the handle assembly 26 and/or pull device 22 (e.g., the riser assembly 400 may roll along the concrete slab 14′ at a speed dictated by the axial or linear speed that the screed roller 12 is being pulled, for instance the speed that its rotational axis is being displaced). The screed roller 12 can therefore be prevented from contacting or otherwise engaging the concrete slab 14′, and can also level or finish the unfinished or poured concrete 16 at elevations above that of the concrete slab 14′.

An exploded view of the drive assembly end 21 of the powered roller screed 10′, along with the riser assembly 400, is illustrated in FIG. 13. The output of the drive motor 24′ is configured so that it can be fitted to the drive socket 38, which can be of a common 6-point impact type as illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed above. As the drive socket 38 passes through the motor frame 36′, it again is encased by a socket bearing (not shown in FIGS. 12-13). The socket bearing again allows the drive socket 38 to spin with the drive motor 24′, while securely holding it within the stationary motor frame 36′.

Interconnecting the screed roller 12 and the drive assembly 20′ is a drive plate assembly 52. The drive plate assembly 52 may include a drive plate 44 and a shaft 53 extending generally perpendicularly from the drive plate 44. The drive plate 44 may have a circular shape or outer perimeter that is of the same outside diameter as the screed roller 12 and that allows for the attachment of the drive plate assembly 52 to the screed roller 12 through the use of a plurality of bolts or other suitable fasteners (not shown) being positioned through complementary shaped and sized apertures 45 in the drive plate 44 and apertures 69 in a female attachment plug 46. Additionally, the distal surface of the drive plate 44 can be equipped with a centrally located male shoulder 71 that can be introduced into a female recess 68 on the female attachment plug 46 to center the female attachment plug 46 of the screed roller 12 with reference to the drive plate assembly 52. This configuration not only transfers the rotational power of the drive motor 24′ to the screed roller 12, but also ensures that all of the operational components are properly aligned.

The shaft 53 of the drive plate assembly 52 may have a hexagonal cross-section to engage the similarly shaped internal surface of the drive socket 38. Additionally, each of the shaft 53 and the drive socket 38 may include at least one attachment pin hole 58 that allows for fixed securement of the drive plate assembly 52 to the drive socket 38 of the drive assembly 20′ (e.g., such that the shaft 53 will rotate along or collectively with the drive socket 38). In this regard, after the shaft 53 has been inserted into or otherwise engaged with the drive socket 38, an attachment pin or other fastener can be passed through an attachment pin hole 58 on each of the shaft 53 and the drive socket 38 to secure the two components together. Once the drive plate 44 has been appropriately secured to the screed roller 12 and the shaft 53 has been appropriately secured to the drive assembly 20′, rotational power produced by the drive socket 38 can be directly transferred to the screed roller 12.

The riser assembly 400 may be disposed over a portion of the shaft 53 between the drive plate 44 and the drive socket 38. As will be described below, the riser assembly 400 includes a riser wheel 404 that elevates the screed roller 12 above the concrete slab 14′ and that allows a portion of the riser assembly 400 to rotate independently of the drive assembly 20′ and the screed roller 12. As such, a portion of the riser assembly 400 is adapted to rotate at a speed that depends upon the linear or axial speed that the operator(s) advance the powered roller screed 10′.

The riser wheel 404 broadly includes an inner plug 406, an inner ring 408, and a bearing assembly 409. The inner ring 408 may be in the form of a generally circular disc-shaped member having an axial bore 410 and a plurality of attachment apertures 412 disposed therethrough. The attachment apertures 412 allow washers 422 to be attached to the riser wheel 404 as will be later described.

The inner plug 406 of the riser wheel 404, which can also be in the form of a generally disc-shaped member, includes a central aperture 414, and can be press-fit or otherwise appropriately fixedly attached within the axial bore 410. The central aperture 414 of the inner plug 406 is sized and shaped to accept the shaft 53 of the drive plate assembly 52 and to prevent the shaft 53 from rotating with respect to the inner plug 406 and the inner ring 408 (i.e., such that the inner plug 406 and shaft 53 will collectively rotate). For instance, the central aperture 414 may be hexagonally shaped to accept the hexagonally shaped shaft 53. In other embodiments (not shown), the inner plug 406 may be removed and the axial bore 410 of the inner ring 408 may be formed to have a size and/or shape to non-rotatably accept the shaft 53 (i.e., such that the inner ring 408 and shaft 53 will collectively rotate).

The bearing assembly 409 includes an inner race 416, an outer race 418, a plurality of bearing members (not shown) situated between and within the inner and outer races 416, 418, and a pair of seal members 420 (only one being shown, but with one being on each side of the bearing assembly 408, where the two sides are spaced along the axis coinciding with the shaft 53) between the inner and outer races 416, 418. The seal members 420 serve to protect the bearing members by reducing the potential for the introduction of debris into the interior of the bearing assembly 409, and may be constructed of rubber, plastic, or any other suitable material. The inner and outer races 416, 418 can have complementary concave surfaces or other features that serve to contain the bearing members, and allow the bearing members to rotate or spin within the inner and outer races 416, 418. The bearing members thus allow the inner race 416 to rotate freely relative to the outer race 418, and as such may be in the form of balls, rollers, and the like. An outer portion of the inner ring 408 is appropriately secured to the inner race 416 by way of being press fit, the use of adhesives, or in any other appropriate manner. In this regard, the inner race 416 is fixedly and non-rotatably secured to both the inner ring 408 and the inner plug 406.

The riser assembly 400 may further include a pair of washers 422, each of which is secured to an outside or end surface of the riser wheel 404. Each washer 422 can be a plastic, disc-shaped member with a central bore 424 and a plurality of attachment holes 426. The attachment holes 426 are sized and spaced to substantially align with the attachment apertures 412 on the inner ring 408. Thus, after assembly of the riser wheel 404, the central bore 424 and attachment holes 426 of each washer 422 are respectively aligned over the central aperture 414 and attachment apertures 412 on one side of the riser wheel 404. Thereafter, fasteners (e.g., bolts, not shown) can be inserted through the attachment holes 426 and the attachment apertures 412 to secure the respective washer 422 to the side of the riser wheel 404. Each washer 422 serves to reduce the potential for the introduction of debris into the interior of the bearing assembly, in addition to reducing friction between the riser assembly 400 and the drive plate 44 and/or the drive assembly 20.

An outer ring 428 may be fixedly secured around the riser wheel 404. Outer ring 428 includes a central bore having a diameter that is equal to or just greater than an outer diameter of the riser wheel 404. As will be later described, if the riser wheel 404 does not provide a desired gap 402 for a screeding operation, one or more outer rings 428 can be secured about the outer race 420 of the riser wheel 404 by way of one or more set screws or other fasteners, a press-fit, adhesives, or the like. The outer ring 428 is therefore non-rotatably secured relative to the outer race 418 (e.g., the outer ring 428 and outer race 418 will collectively rotate) and serves to increase an outer diameter of the riser wheel 404 relative to an outer diameter of the screed roller 12.

There are a number of characterizations that may be made with regard to the riser wheel 404. One is that the rotational axes of the riser 404 and the screed roller 12 may be coaxial. Another is that the riser wheel 404 may be a free-spinning structure. The riser wheel 404 may rotate relative to the screed roller 12. In one embodiment, the riser wheel 404 and the screed roller 12 rotate in opposite directions during a screeding operation (e.g., as the powered roller screed 10′ is being pulled in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 10).

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-13, one method of assembling the drive assembly end 21 of the powered roller screed 10′ will now be described. It will be appreciated that other assembly methods may be possible. Initially, the inner plug 406 is inserted into the axial bore 410 of the inner ring 408, and the inner ring 408 is appropriately secured to or inserted within the inner race 416. Thereafter, if the outer diameter of the riser wheel 404 is either less than that of the screed roller 12 or else is not of a desired magnitude, an outer ring 428 of appropriate size can be press-fit or otherwise appropriately secured (e.g., via one or more fasteners, such as one or more set screws) to the outer race 418 of the riser wheel 404. Washers 422 can then be secured to the sides of the riser wheel 404 as described above. At this point, the riser assembly 400 has been assembled.

The drive plate 44 of the drive plate assembly 52 can be secured to the female attachment plug 46 of the screed roller 12. More specifically, the centrally-located male shoulder 71 on the drive plate 44 can be aligned with and inserted into the female recess 68 in the accessible end of the female attachment plug 46. Thereafter, bolts or other appropriate fasteners can be inserted through the complementary-shaped and sized apertures 45 on the drive plate 44 and apertures 69 on the female attachment plug 46 to fixedly secure the drive plate assembly 52 to the screed roller 12 (e.g., such that the drive plate assembly 52 and screed roller 12 may collectively rotate).

After the drive plate assembly 52 has been secured to the screed roller 12, the shaft 53 may be inserted through the central aperture 414 of the inner plug 406 of the riser wheel 404. As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 13, each of the shaft 53 and the central aperture 414 includes a hexagonal cross-section. Thus, once the shaft 53 has been inserted through the central aperture 414 and the riser assembly 400 is thus disposed on the shaft 53, the drive plate assembly 52 and the screed roller 12 become non-rotatably attached relative to the inner plug 406, inner ring 408 and inner race 416 (e.g., such that the shaft 53, inner plug 406, inner ring 408, and inner race 416 may collectively rotate). Finally, the shaft 53 is inserted into the drive socket 38 such that at least one attachment hole 58 on the drive socket 38 is aligned with at least one attachment hole 58 on the shaft 53. A fastener (e.g., bolt), pin, cotter key, or the like can then be inserted through the aligned attachment holes 58 to secure the drive plate assembly 52 and the screed roller 12 together such that each is inhibited from rotating or moving axially relative to the drive assembly 20′ (e.g., such that the output of the drive assembly 20′ may collectively rotate the drive plate assembly 52 and the screed roller 12).

At this point and as most clearly seen in FIGS. 10-12, the riser assembly 400 is situated on the shaft 53 between the drive socket 38 and the female attachment plug 46, and the screed roller 12 is elevated a distance above the screeded concrete 18 equal to the gap 402. While the shaft 53 is shown as being of a length that allows the riser assembly 400 to slide axially along the shaft 53 (while still being non-rotatable relative to the shaft 53) between the drive socket 38 and the female attachment plug 46, in other embodiments the shaft 53 is of a length and/or the riser assembly 400 is of a width that allows the riser assembly 400 to slide only minimally or else not at all between the drive socket 38 and the female attachment plug 46.

In operation, when the drive assembly 20′ causes the drive socket 38 to rotate, the: a) drive plate assembly 52; b) inner plug 406, inner ring 408, inner race 416 and washers 422 of the riser wheel 400; and c) screed roller 12 will correspondingly rotate at an identical frequency. As such, the screed roller 12 can be rotatably powered to perform a screeding operation of the poured concrete 16. Conversely, the outer race 418 and any outer ring 428 of the riser assembly 400 (which is in contact with one of the concrete slabs 14′) generally will not rotate or otherwise spin unless an operator or other force moves the entire powered roller screed 10′ to a different location (e.g., during screeding). Even as the entire powered roller screed 10′ moves to a different location while the drive assembly 20′ is rotatably powering the screed roller 12, the outer race 418 and any outer ring 428 of the riser assembly 400 will only rotate as fast as the entire powered roller screed 10′ moves between the locations. As such, screeding operations are facilitated for operators and the concrete slab 14′ will not be marred or scratched because the operators do not encounter resistance from friction between the screed roller 12 and the concrete slab 14′. Moreover, operators can more easily finish and level the freshly poured concrete 16 at elevations above those of the concrete slab 14′.

With reference now to FIGS. 10 and 14-17, the non-powered end 301 of the powered roller screed 10′ is presented that broadly includes a portion of the screed roller 12, the pull bearing assembly 84, a wall plug 300, and a riser assembly 500. Like the riser assembly 400, the riser assembly 500 can elevate the screed roller 12 a distance above the corresponding concrete slab 14′ during a screeding operation and a gap (not labeled) can be created between: a) a portion of the screed roller 12 and wall plug 300; and b) the corresponding concrete slab 14′ for reasons as previously described.

Partial exploded views of the non-powered end 301 of the roller screed 10′ are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The wall plug assembly 300 may be fixedly interconnected to the screed roller 12 and may sandwich the pull bearing assembly 84 along with the screed roller 12. In this regard, the wall plug assembly 300 can serve to position the pull bearing assembly 84 away from a distal end portion of the screed roller 12 and thus facilitate screeding operations for operators. The wall plug assembly 300 may generally include a cylindrical member having an outer diameter the same as that of the screed roller 12 and that rotates with the screed roller 12; as such, the wall plug assembly 300 is non-rotatable relative to the screed roller 12 in the same manner as the above-noted wall plug 164.

More specifically, the wall plug 300 may be in the form of generally cylindrical extension member including first and second end walls 302, 304 and an outside or perimeter surface 306. A cylindrical hub 308 extends from the first end wall 302 and is adapted to be received in a central aperture 89 of the pull bearing assembly 84 as will be later described. The cylindrical hub 308 includes an outer surface 309 having an outer diameter that is generally of the same magnitude as the diameter of the central aperture 89 of the pull bearing assembly 84. In this regard and as will be later described, the cylindrical hub 308 can be disposed within the central aperture 89 of the pull bearing assembly 84 to fixedly and non-rotatably secure the wall plug 300 relative to an inner race 92 of the pull bearing assembly 84 (e.g., by providing a press-fit or interference fit between the wall plug 300 and the inner race 92 of the pull bearing assembly 84).

A female recess 310 may be situated within the cylindrical hub 308. The female recess 310 is sized and shaped to accept the correspondingly sized and shaped male shoulder 70 on the male attachment plug 48 of the screed roller 12. The female recess 310 and male shoulder 70 serve to center and align the wall plug 300 relative to the screed roller 12. Located within the female recess 310 is a threaded bore 312 that is sized and shaped to accept the threaded rod 72 extending from the screed roller 12 (more specifically from a male plug 48 on an end of the screed roller 12)). The wall plug 300 additionally includes a securement aperture 314 that intersects the threaded bore 312. Securement aperture 314 is adapted to receive a securement bolt or the like (not shown) to engage the surface of the threaded rod 72 and secure the threaded rod 72 within the wall plug 300.

With reference to FIG. 16, the second end wall 304 of the wall plug 300 may include a male shoulder 316 and a plurality of attachment apertures 318. The male shoulder 316 is sized and shaped to engage with a female recess 528 on an end plug 504, and the attachment apertures 318 are shaped to align with attachment bores 526 on the end plug 504 and accept fasteners as will be later described.

Referring back to FIG. 15, the pull bearing assembly 84 having first and second end surfaces 91, 93 is illustrated and is designed to provide an external surface on the screed roller 12 that is rotationally stationary when the bulk of the screed roller 12 and wall plug 300 are rotated during use. This is accomplished by the incorporation of an outer bearing body 90 that is rotationally isolated from the remaining components by a bearing assembly 88 (see FIG. 9). The outer bearing body 90 is equipped with a pull ring 86 that allows for the attachment of an external rotationally stationary device to the screed roller 12, such as pull device 22. Outer bearing body 90 may be press-fit or otherwise appropriately secured about an outer portion of the bearing assembly 88 as will be later described.

Bearing assembly 88 surrounds a central aperture 89 and can include an inner race 92, an outer race 94, a plurality of bearing members (not shown) situated between and within the inner and outer races 92, 94, and seal members 96 (only one being shown) between the inner and outer races 92, 94. The inner and outer races 92, 94 can have complementary concave surfaces or other features that serve to contain the bearing members therebetween and that allow the bearing members to rotate or spin within the inner and outer races 92, 94. The bearing members thus allow the inner race 92 to rotate freely relative to the outer race 94, and as such may be in the form of balls, rollers, and the like. The outer bearing body 90 may be fixedly secured by way of a press-fit, for instance about the outer race 94. In this regard and as seen back in FIG. 10, as an operator pulls on pull device 22, the outer bearing body 90 and outer race 94 remain stationary while the inner race 92, screed roller 12 and wall plug 300 can be rotated by the drive assembly 20′.

One method of connecting the screed roller 12, pull bearing assembly 84, and wall plug 300 will now be described, although other methods of connection are contemplated. Initially, the cylindrical hub 308 of the wall plug 300 is appropriately inserted or press-fit into the central aperture 89 from the first surface 91 to the second surface 93 of the pull bearing assembly 84 until the first surface 91 is in contact with the first end wall 302 of the wall plug 300 and the outer surface 309 of the cylindrical hub 308 has extended past the second surface 93. In one embodiment, the outer surface 309 of the cylindrical hub 308 can extend past the second surface 93 by a distance of about ⅛″.

Thereafter, the male shoulder 70 on the male attachment plug 48 can be inserted into the female recess 310, and the threaded rod 72 can be inserted into and threaded to the threaded aperture 312 until the threaded rod 72 at least extends to/past the securement aperture 314. Finally, a securement bolt or the like can be threaded or otherwise inserted through the securement aperture 314 until it engages the threaded rod 72 to secure the threaded rod 72 within the wall plug 300. At this point, the wall plug 300 is fixedly and non-rotatably secured relative to the inner race 92 of the pull bearing assembly 84 and the screed roller 12, while the outer race 94 and the outer bearing body 90 are free to rotate independently of the wall plug 300, inner race 92, and screed roller 12. Moreover, because the outer surface 309 of the cylindrical hub 308 was mounted to extend past the second surface 93, in operation the pull bearing assembly 84 can slide axially along the cylindrical hub 308 by the distance that the cylindrical hub 308 extended past the second surface 93 during the connecting method. In this regard, the screed roller 12 and the wall plug 300 will not be prone to clamp or bind around the outer race 94 and outer bearing body 90 and thus inhibit their free rotation independent of the powered rotation of the screed roller 12, inner race 92 and wall plug 300.

The wall plug 300 positions the pull bearing assembly 84 and pull device 22 away from the end of the powered roller screed 10′. In this regard, an operator can screed freshly poured concrete right up to a wall or other vertical surface because the pull device 22 (and the operator's hands) are not directly adjacent to or abutting the wall or vertical surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the wall plug 300 can have a length of either 6 inches or 18 inches, but other wall plug 300 lengths are contemplated.

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the riser assembly 500 may broadly include a riser wheel 502 that serves to elevate a portion of the wall plug 300 and the screed roller 12 above a portion of the corresponding concrete slab 14′, and an end plug 504 that mounts the riser wheel 502 to a portion of the wall plug 300.

The riser wheel 502 can have a central aperture 506, a bearing assembly 508 surrounding the central aperture 506, and an outer ring 510, and may further be defined by first and second outer surfaces 505, 507. Central aperture 506 is sized and shaped to accept connecting structures and fasteners associated with the wall plug 300 and the end plug 504 as will be later described. Similar to the bearing assembly 409, the bearing assembly 508 can include an inner race 511, an outer race 512, a plurality of bearing members (not shown) situated between and within the inner and outer races 510, 512, and a pair of seal members 514 (only one being shown) between the inner and outer races 510, 512. The inner and outer races 510, 512 can have complementary concave surfaces or other features that serve to contain the bearing members therebetween and that allow the bearing members to rotate or spin within the inner and outer races 510, 512. The bearing members thus allow the inner race 511 to rotate freely relative to the outer race 512, and as such may be in the form of balls, rollers, and the like.

The outer ring 510 may be fixedly secured about the outer race 512 of the riser wheel 502 to provide a desired elevation of the wall plug 300 and screed roller 12 above the corresponding concrete slab 14′. Outer ring 510 includes a central bore having a diameter that is equal to or just greater than an outer diameter of the outer race 512. As will be later described, one or more outer rings 510 can be fixedly secured about an outer portion of the outer race 512 to increase the diameter of the riser wheel 502 if the riser wheel 502 does not provide a desired elevation of the wall plug 300 and screed roller 12 above the concrete slab 14′ for a screeding operation. The outer ring 510 can be secured by way of one or more set screws or other fasteners, a press-fit, adhesives, and the like.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 16, the end plug 504 serves to secure the riser wheel 502 to the wall plug 300 and as such sandwiches the riser wheel 502 between the wall plug 300 and the end plug 504. End plug 504 may include first and second discs 516, 518. First disc 516 generally includes first and second outer surfaces 520, 522 and an outer diameter. The outer diameter generally matches that of the wall plug 300 and the screed roller 12, and is generally larger than an outer diameter of the inner race 511 but smaller than an inner diameter of the outer race 512. Second disc 518 is fixedly secured to the first disc 516, and includes an outer surface 524 and an outer diameter smaller than that of the first disc 516. More specifically, the outer diameter of the second disc 518 may be generally of the same magnitude as the diameter of the central aperture 506 of the riser wheel 502. In this regard and as will be later described, the second disc 518 of the end plug 504 is adapted to be disposed within the central aperture 506 of the riser wheel 502 (e.g., to provide press-fit or interference fit between the end plug 504 and an interior portion of the riser wheel 502) to fixedly and non-rotatably secure the end plug 504 relative to the inner race 511, the wall plug 300, and the screed roller 12.

The outer surface 524 of the second disc 518 can include a plurality of attachment bores 526 and a female recess 528. Each attachment bore 526 extends from the outer surface 524 of the second disc 518 through the end plug 504 to the second outer surface 522 of the first disc 516 as shown in FIG. 17. As such, threaded fasteners (not shown) can be inserted through each attachment bore 516 from the second outer surface 522 of the first disc 516 and into the threaded attachment holes 318 on the wall plug 300 to fixedly and non-rotatably secure the end plug 504 relative to the wall plug 300. Female recess 528 is sized and shaped to accept the correspondingly sized and shaped male shoulder 316 on the wall plug 300. The female recess 528 and male shoulder 316 serve to center and align the end plug 504 relative to the wall plug 300. Female recess 528 additionally includes a central bore 530 that is sized to accept the threaded rod 72 that fixedly connects the screed roller 12 and the wall plug 300.

There are a number of characterizations that may be made with regard to the riser wheel 502. One is that the rotational axes of the riser wheel 502 and the screed roller 12 may be coaxial. Another is that the riser wheel 502 may be a free-spinning structure. The riser wheel 502 may rotate relative to the screed roller 12. In one embodiment, the riser wheel 502 and the screed roller 12 rotate in opposite directions during a screeding operation (e.g., as the powered roller screed 10′ is being pulled in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 10).

While one method of assembling the non-powered end 301 of the powered rotational screed apparatus 10 will now be described, other assembly methods may be possible. Initially, if the outer diameter of the riser wheel 502 is either less than that of the screed roller 12 and/or wall plug 300 or else is not of a desired magnitude, one or more outer rings 510 of appropriate size can be press-fit or otherwise appropriately secured to the outer race 512 of the riser wheel 502 (e.g., via one or more fasteners, such as one or more set screws). Thereafter, the second disc 518 of the end cap 504 can be appropriately inserted or press-fit into the central aperture 506 of the riser wheel 502 from the first outer surface 505 to the second outer surface 507 until the first outer surface 505 of the riser assembly 502 contacts the first outer surface 520 of the end plug 504 and the outer surface 524 of the second disc 518 has extended past the second outer surface 507 on the riser assembly 502. In one embodiment, the outer surface 524 of the second disc 518 can extend past the second outer surface 507 by a distance of about ⅛″.

After the second disc 518 has been introduced into the central aperture 506, the male shoulder may be positioned within the female recess 528 to align the wall plug 300 and end plug 504. If necessary, either the wall plug 300 or end plug 504 can be rotated to align the attachment apertures 318 with the attachment bores 526. Fasteners (not shown) can then be inserted from the second outer surface 522 of the first disc 516 of the end plug 504 into the attachment apertures 318 on the wall plug 300 to fixedly and non-rotatably secure end plug 504 relative to the wall plug 300. Because the outer surface 524 of the second disc 518 was mounted to extend past the second outer surface 507 of the riser assembly 502, in operation the riser assembly 502 can slide axially along the second disc 518 by the distance that the second disc 518 extended past the second outer surface 507 during the connecting method. In this regard, the wall plug 300 and the end plug 504 will not be prone to clamp or bind around the outer race 512 and outer ring 510 and thus inhibit their free rotation independent of the powered rotation of the wall plug 300, inner race 511 and end plug 504.

Although one way of integrating a riser wheel with each end of the screed roller 12 has been described herein, any appropriate way of doing so may be utilized. When a riser wheel is associated with each end of the screed roller 12, the pair of riser wheels may have a common outer diameter or different outer diameters, depending upon the desired result. There also may be circumstances where only one of the riser wheels 404, 502 is utilized.

In operation and referring primarily to FIG. 10, rotational power generated by the drive assembly 20′ can be directly transferred to screed roller 12, inner race 92 of pull bearing assembly 84, wall plug 300, inner race 511 of the riser wheel 502, and end plug 504 to perform a screeding operation of the poured concrete 16. Conversely, the outer race 94 and outer bearing body 90 of pull bearing assembly 84, and the outer race 512 and any outer ring 510 of the riser assembly 500 (as well as the outer race 418 and any outer ring 428 being utilized by the riser assembly 400), can rotate or spin independently of the above-described components. For instance and as seen in both FIGS. 10 and 14, as an operator pulls on the roller screed 10′ using pull device 22, the outer bearing body 90 of the pull bearing assembly 84 remains stationary. Moreover, the outer race 512 and any outer ring 510 of the riser wheel 502 (as well as the outer race 418 and any outer ring 428 being utilized by the riser assembly 400) only rotate as fast as the operator pulls the entire roller screed 10. As such, screeding operations are facilitated for operators and concrete slabs 14′ will not be marred or scratched because the operators do not encounter resistance from friction between the a) screed roller 12, wall plug 300 and/or end plug 504, and b) the concrete slab 14′. Moreover, operators can more easily finish and level the poured concrete 16 at elevations above those of the concrete slabs 14′.

In summary and as shown in FIGS. 10-12 and 14, the riser assemblies 400, 500 can be utilized in conjunction with the powered roller screed 10′ to provide a gap 402 between the a) screed roller 12, wall plug 300, and end plug 504, and the b) concrete slabs 14′. In other embodiments, only one of the drive assembly end 21 or non-powered end 301 includes a riser assembly 400, 500. For instance, an operator may choose to utilize only one of the riser assemblies 400, 500 if only a single concrete slab 14′ exists or if the operator wishes to impart a slope or incline to the poured concrete 16 once it cures. In further embodiments, one or more of the riser assemblies 400, 500 may be associated with the powered roller screed 10′ at locations other than at the drive assembly end 21 or non-powered end 301. Other applications for the use of a single riser assembly 400, 500 may also exist.

The outer rings 428 and 510 of the riser assemblies 400 and 500 can be constructed of various outer diameters. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the outer rings 428 and 510 can be ¼″ greater than that of the screed roller 12 and wall plug 300, which correspondingly elevates the screed roller 12 and wall plug 300 ⅛″ above the concrete slabs 14′. Such an elevation can facilitate a screeding operation for operators (e.g., contractors screeding a driveway) by decreasing the resistance experienced while pulling the powered roller screed 10′ in addition to reducing wear on the concrete slab 14′. In other embodiments, the outer diameter of the outer rings 428 and 510 can be ¾″ greater than that of the screed roller 12 and wall plug 300, which correspondingly elevates the screed roller 12 and wall plug 300 ⅜″ above the concrete slabs 14′. Such an elevation is advantageous during the leveling of pervious poured concrete 16. It should be appreciated that the outer rings 428, 510 can have outer diameters of other sizes such as 1¼″ and the like (to provide a ⅝″ gap).

Additionally, while male shoulders and female recesses have been shown in particular locations in the embodiments, the male shoulders and female recesses can be reversed without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Moreover, the various components of pull bearing assemblies, riser wheels, wall plugs and end plugs with the exception of the sealing members can be generally composed of a high strength aluminum alloy, although the use of other materials for this purpose is possible. Aluminum may be used in this application due to its desirable strength to weight ratio.

Another embodiment of a powered roller screed is illustrated in FIG. 18 and is identified by reference numeral 600. Generally, the powered roller screed 600 includes a curb attachment 618 to allow the powered roller screed 600 to provide screeding operations adjacent to a curb 670. More specifically, the curb 670 includes an upper wall or face 674 and a sidewall or face 672. Although the sidewall 672 could be vertically disposed, it could be at least slightly inclined relative to vertical as well. Moreover, although the sidewall 672 is illustrated as being a planar surface, other configurations may be appropriate (e.g., including at least a slight curvature).

A “curb 670” as used herein encompasses any raised surface that is adjacent to an area where concrete has been poured and that is to be screeded using the powered roller screed 600. Such a curb 670 may be of any appropriate height or provide any appropriate vertical offset in relation to the area being screeded. A curb 670 adjacent to a roadway, driveway, or the like may be offset therefrom by a relatively short or small distance (e.g., on the order of about 6″). A concrete footing for a building structure may also be characterized as a curb 670 (and will also extend up on the order of about 6″). Other curbs 670 may in fact be in the form of a much more elevated structure in relation to the area being screeded, for instance in the form of a wall.

The curb 670 is adjacent to a screeding zone 676 having wet concrete (not shown) that is to be screeded. In the illustrated embodiment, the screeding zone 676 may be associated with a street or roadway, although it may be associated with any appropriate surface that is offset from the upper wall 674 of the curb 670 (e.g., in a vertical dimension, or in a dimension that is at least generally orthogonal to a slope of the surface that underlies the wet concrete). Generally, the curb attachment 618 engages the upper wall 674 of the curb 670 to support a non-driven end 12 b of a screed roller 12 of the powered roller screed 600 during screeding operations.

The curb attachment 618 may be used with the above-discussed powered roller screeds 10, 10′, and therefore the discussion presented above with regard to basic components/fundaments of operation of the powered roller screeds 10/10′ is equally applicable to the powered roller screed 600 of FIG. 18. For instance, the powered roller screed 600 may include a screed roller 12 defined by one or more screed roller sections 12 a (e.g., FIG. 7). Moreover, the powered roller screed 600 may incorporate a drive assembly (e.g., drive assembly 20/20′) having an appropriate power source (e.g., drive motor 24/24′) to rotate the screed roller 12 during screeding operations (e.g., to rotate the same in the opposite direction that the powered roller screed 600 is being advanced as a whole during screeding operations). A handle or handle assembly (e.g., handle assembly 26 having a control handle 30) may be utilized to control or pull at least generally on a driven or powered end of the screed roller 12. A pull device or another handle/handle assembly (e.g., pull device 22) may be utilized to control or pull at least generally on a non-driven end 12 b of the screed roller 12.

Various details of the curb attachment 618 are shown in FIGS. 19A-21. The curb attachment 618 may be interconnected with the screed roller 12 in any appropriate manner that allows the screed roller 12 to rotate relative to the curb attachment 618. In the illustrated embodiment, the above-described pull bearing assembly 84 having a pull ring or anchor 86 may be sandwiched between the non-driven or non-powered end 12 b of the screed roller 12 and what may be characterized as an end plug 610. The end plug 610 includes a first plug section 612 and a second plug section 616 that are separated by an annular groove 614.

A bracket assembly 620 of the curb attachment 618 may be mounted within the groove 614 on the end plug 610, namely via a mounting strap or band 621 of the bracket assembly 620. As discussed above, a threaded rod 72 associated with a male attachment plug 48 (on the non-driven end 12 b of the screed roller 12) may extend through the pull bearing assembly 84 (which again is rotationally isolated from the screed roller 12) and may threadably engage with the end plug 610 (e.g., by extending within a threaded hole included on an end face of the end plug 610, and in the same general manner discussed above in relation to the wall plug 300 shown in FIG. 15).

The bracket assembly 620 further includes a first bracket 622 and a second bracket 636. A separate curb roller 650 is rotatably mounted to each of the first bracket 622 and the second bracket 636. Generally, the first bracket 622 and the second bracket 636 are movably interconnected so as to be adjustable relative to each other (to thereby adjust the offset between the screed roller 12 and each of the curb rollers 650). In the illustrated embodiment, the second bracket 636 is pivotally interconnected with the first bracket 622 by a pivot pin 640, although any appropriate structure or combination of structures may be used to provide this pivotal connection.

The first bracket 622 includes a plurality of first adjustment holes 624. In the illustrated embodiment there are two rows 626, each having a plurality of first adjustment holes 624. The second bracket 636 includes at least one second adjustment holes 638. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two second adjustment holes 638. One of the second adjustment holes 638 is alignable with each first adjustment hole 624 in one of the rows 626 by pivoting the second bracket 636 relative to the first bracket 622. The other of the second adjustment holes 638 is alignable with each first adjustment holes 624 in the other of the rows 626 by pivoting the second bracket 636 relative to the first bracket 622. When the first bracket 622 and second bracket 636 are in a desired relative position (e.g., by a relative pivotal motion between the brackets 622, 636) a bolt 642 may be directed through an aligned pair of a first adjustment hole 624 and a second adjustment hole 638. A nut 644 (e.g., a wing nut) may be threaded onto the bolt 642 to fix the position of the first bracket 622 relative to the second bracket 636. It should be appreciated that the first bracket 622 and second bracket 636 could be pinned together at multiple locations. Moreover, it should be appreciated that any other appropriate structure could be directed through an aligned pair of a first adjustment hole 624 and a second adjustment hole 638 to fix the position of the first bracket 622 relative to the second bracket 636, such as a draw pin and cotter pin/key arrangement or the like.

The first bracket 622 may include a curb roller mount 634 (e.g., in the form of a boss or the like) that allows a curb roller 650 to be mounted to the first bracket 622 and to rotate relative to this first bracket 622. The second bracket 636 may also include a curb roller mount 634 that allows a curb roller 650 to be mounted to the second bracket 636 and to rotate relative to this second bracket 636. Changing the position of the first bracket 622 relative to the second bracket 636 changes the spacing between the two curb rollers 650, and further changes the offset between the screed roller 12 and each of the two curb rollers 650.

Each curb roller 650 may be of a common configuration, and thus only one will be described. The curb roller 650 includes a first curb roller section 652 and a second curb roller section 658 that are separated from each other by a space or gap 654 proceeding along the corresponding curb roller axle 660 (about which the curb roller 650 rotates). A spacer 656 may be disposed about the curb roller axle 660 and may maintain the first curb roller section 652 and the second curb roller section 658 in spaced relation. A locking mechanism 662 of any appropriate type (e.g., a cotter pin or key) may be utilized to retain the curb roller 650 on its curb roller axle 660.

The curb attachment 618 may be used with cured concrete structures having one or more anchor bolts or the like that are embedded within and that extend upwardly from an upper surface of such cured concrete structures (e.g., building footings). The first curb roller section 652 and the second curb roller section 658 may be sized, spaced, and/or otherwise arranged such that any such anchor bolt will simply pass into the space 654 as the curb rollers 650 roll along the cured concrete structure. Although the illustrated configuration of the curb rollers 650 is desirable for use in combination with concrete structures having such anchor bolts or the like, it should be appreciated that other configurations for the curb rollers 650 could be utilized as well (e.g., a single cylindrical structure).

FIG. 18 illustrates the use of the powered roller screed 600 in conjunction with one type of curb 670. The first bracket 622 may be characterized as having a screed roller side 628 (e.g., that faces the screed roller 12) and an oppositely disposed or curb side 630. The first bracket 622 may include a curb engagement member 632 that extends from the curb side 630 of the first bracket 622. As shown in FIG. 21, the curb engagement member 632 extends further from the curb side 630 of the first bracket 622 than the second plug section 616 of the end plug 610. This keeps the rotating end plug 610 from contacting the sidewall 672 of the curb 670 during screeding operations. That is, the curb engagement member 632 may engage the sidewall 672 of the curb 670 during screeding operations to maintain an end face of the second plug section 616 of the end plug 610 in spaced relation to the sidewall 672 of the curb 670. The curb engagement member 632 may be of any appropriate configuration to provide a desired interface with the sidewall 672 of the curb 670, for instance including a freely rotating ball or the like within an appropriate pocket such that the ball may contact and roll along the sidewall 672 of the curb 670 during screeding operations.

During screeding operations with the powered roller screed 600, the two curb rollers 650 will engage and roll along the upper wall 674 of the curb 670 and as shown in FIG. 18. The curb rollers 650 may thereby provide at least some support of the screed roller 12 in the vertical dimension. FIG. 18 also shows the vertical offset provided between the screed roller 12 and each of the curb rollers 650. The screed roller 12 (e.g., a rotational axis of thereof) may be characterized as being disposed at one elevation, while the curb rollers 650 (e.g., a rotational axis thereof) may be characterized as being disposed at a different elevation. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the curb rollers 650 is disposed at a higher elevation than the screed roller 12. Moreover and in the case of the illustrated embodiment, the curb rollers 650 are disposed at a common elevation. The adjustability provided by the movable interconnection between the first bracket 622 and the second bracket 636 of the curb attachment 618 allows for adjustment of the amount of vertical offset provided between the screed roller 12 and each of the curb rollers 650.

As noted, the powered roller screed 600 and its curb attachment 618 may be utilized with curbs 670 of various different heights. FIG. 22 shows an adaptation of the powered roller screed 600′ for using the same with a curb 670′ in the form of a wall (where the curb 670′ includes a sidewall 672′ of an enhanced vertical extent compared to that shown in FIG. 18). In the case of the powered roller screed 600′ of FIG. 22, the curb rollers 650 are removed from the bracket assembly 620. A frame section 680 is appropriately interconnected with the first bracket 622 at its corresponding curb roller mount 634, while another frame section 680 is appropriately interconnected with the second bracket 636 at its corresponding curb roller mount 634. One curb roller 650 may be rotatably mounted to each of the frame sections 680 (e.g., using a curb roller mount 682 incorporated by the frame sections 680, for instance in the form of a boss or the like). One or more cross members 684 may extend between, and may be fixed to, each of the frame sections 680 to maintain the same in spaced relation to each other and/or to otherwise provide a desired degree of stability. In any case, the frame sections 680 may be characterized as suspending the bracket assembly 620 from the two curb rollers 650 that are engaged with an upper wall 674′ of the curb 670′. Each of the frame sections 680, along with any cross member(s) 684, may be of any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration (e.g., in the form of an elongated strap), and may be formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in such or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s). It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 

1. A powered roller screed, comprising: a screed roller; a drive assembly comprising a power source, said drive assembly being interconnected with said screed roller and operable to rotatably drive said screed roller; first and second handles interconnected with said screed roller at first and second locations, respectively, that are spaced along a length of said screed roller; a curb attachment interconnected with said screed roller and comprising first and second curb rollers, wherein said screed roller is vertically offset from said first and second curb rollers.
 2. The powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein said screed roller comprises a non-driven end, and wherein said curb attachment is mounted to said non-driven end.
 3. The powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein said first and second curb rollers are disposed of a common elevation.
 4. The powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein said screed roller is advanced in a first dimension during a screeding operation, and wherein said first and second curb rollers are spaced from each other in said first dimension.
 5. The powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein said first and second curb rollers are positionable on an upper wall of a curb.
 6. The powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein the said first and second curb rollers each comprise a rotational axis, along with first and second curb roller sections that are spaced along said rotational axis.
 7. The powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein a vertical position of said first and second curb rollers is adjustable relative to said screed roller.
 8. The powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein said first and second curb rollers are simultaneously adjustable relative to said screed roller in a vertical dimension.
 9. The powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein said curb attachment comprises first and second brackets, wherein said first curb roller is rotatably interconnected with said first bracket, and wherein said second curb roller is rotatably interconnected with said second bracket.
 10. The powered roller screed of claim 9, wherein said first and second brackets are movably interconnected.
 11. The powered roller screed of claim 9, wherein a position of said first bracket is adjustable relative to a position of said second bracket.
 12. The powered roller screed of claim 9, wherein said curb attachment comprises a plurality of predetermined adjustment positions between said first and second brackets.
 13. The powered roller screed of claim 9, wherein said first and second brackets are pivotally interconnected.
 14. The powered roller screed of claim 13, wherein said first bracket comprises a plurality of first adjustment holes, wherein said second bracket comprises at least one second adjustment holes, and wherein each of said plurality of first adjustment holes may be aligned said at least one second adjustment hole.
 15. The powered roller screed of claim 14, further comprising a first member extending through one of said first adjustment holes and one of said second adjustment holes to maintain said first and second brackets in a fixed position relative to each other.
 16. The powered roller screed of claim 9, wherein said first bracket comprises a curb spacer engageable with a sidewall of a curb.
 17. The powered roller screed of claim 16, wherein said curb attachment further comprises an end plug that rotates along with said screed roller, wherein said first bracket is mounted to said end plug such that said end plug is rotatable relative to said first bracket, wherein said end plug extends beyond said first bracket a first distance, and wherein said curb spacer extends beyond said first bracket a second distance that is greater than said first distance.
 18. A concrete pour site comprising: a curb comprising an upper curb wall and a curb sidewall; and the powered roller screed of claim 1, wherein said first and second curb rollers are positioned on and roll along said upper curb wall. 